A response to an Examiner.com article
One of the difficulties facing the MetroAccess ridership is a lack of understanding on the part of a large proportion of the public of how MetroAccess actually works. It's worse when bad information is published, such as an article we noticed today posted on Examiner.com.
We'd like to take this opportunity to try and clear up some of the articles mistakes.
Established to help physically-challenged persons with transportation in sections of DC and some suburban areas of both MD and VA
Not exactly.
Maryland Isn’t Helping
Washington Post: Md. budget puts D.C. area Metro funding in doubt
Easy solution - Metro turns right around when it reaches the Maryland border ... I wonder how much that would save??
(Thanks to Unsuck DC Metro for the linkage)
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New Freedom and JARC Applications are Due April 16
[Reposted from Metro ADA eNews]
REMINDER: Applications are due April 16.
Do you have a great idea about how to improve access to transportation for people who face mobility constraints? If so, submit your project idea for funding consideration!
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is pleased to announce the 2010 project solicitation under the Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs. Funds are available for transportation projects that improve transportation options for those who face mobility constraints.
Additional information about the solicitation and application requirements is available at www.tpbcoordination.org
6000 Series MetroRail Cars and Wheelchairs
We have been fortunate enough to wheel all around the new 6000 series rail cars WMATA is bringing into service, and they seem to be an interesting trade-off from the perspective of wheelchair users.
The biggest change is the lack of vertical poles at either end of each car, leaving a very large space capable of easily taking multiple wheelchairs. This also means that a wheelchair user can travel from one end of the car to the other without serious impediment.
Unfortunately, Metro has made the center of each car the designated wheelchair space (at least going by the lack of wheelchair signage at the ends of the cars), with only two bays.
New November, Same Shoddy Service?
It seems that there have been a good number of changes during our hiatus, some good, some bad, and some that the jury remains out on.
Of this latter category is the news of Dan Tangherlini's impending resignation as the Interim General Manager. He walked right into the firestorm that was MetroAccess at the beginning of his tenure.
If his being at the helm of Metro was responsible for the improvements we saw at the start of the year, then we can only hope that his replacement will prove to be as capable
Clients Care Meeting March 18th 2006
The first meeting of the Washington Clients Care Group convened this past Saturday morning, March 18th, at the Wheaton Community Center. This meeting represented the first meeting of MetroAccess riders to meet at a location that was not at Metro Headquarters.
The meeting, organized by MetroAccess riders for MetroAccess riders, had a turn-out of over 60 riders, caregivers and drivers. Mike Antique, representing WMATA's MetroAccess Department; Inez Evans and Nikki Frenney from MV Transportation; as well as Aaron Rich representing Montgomery County's County Executive Douglas Duncan; and Ms. Karen McManus from Congressman Chris Van Hollen's office and were also in attendance.
MetroAccess Service Update #6
This is a copy of the latest service announcement that is being posted in MetroAccess vehicles, scanned and transferred online by DC ParaTransit Info to increase the accessible formats such announcements are available in.
We’re continuing the transition to the new MetroAccess service provider, MV Transportation. As promised, we’re giving you an update on the transition.
Here’s the latest news:
- To improve MetroAccess service, Metro’s Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of 22 additional vehicles and installation of navigation and communications equipment (global positioning systems, onboard cameras and radios) in 77 of our existing vehicles. We’ll let you know when the vehicles and equipment arrive.
WMATA: Metrobus and MetroAccess Rerouted for National Marathon
WMATA's web site contains a press release advising of delays this saturday (March 25th 2006) due to the National Marathon.
WMATA advises that MetroAccess riders in the District and Prince George's County may experience delays because of the road closures, and encourages riders to schedule their trips later in the day because of the expected road closures.
According to the information on WMATA's site, the Marathon will begin at around 7am, and is expected to end around 2pm.
Sphere: Related ContentWMATA: Have comments about Metro’s fiscal 07 budget? Submit them Online (Since you couldn’t in person)
Given that WMATA has stated to DC ParaTransit Info it considers burying notification of the FY2007 Proposed Budget meeting deep within their site to be "adequate" notification whilst not mentioning it in their news pages, we note with great amusement the appearance, a day after the event, on the news section of WMATA's site a press release soliciting comments and questions via email.
We regret that WMATA seems to have made sure that the MetroAccess ridership, through lack of effective notification of this meeting, were unable to face the Board to ask their questions or make comments in person.
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- A response to an Examiner.com article
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